The Best Hotels in Barcelona, Spain, for Every Traveller

With interiors that could grace the cover of a design magazine, Alma Barcelona combines good looks with fine dining and hi-tech touches. Finger scanners replace keys to access the guest rooms – once inside you’ll find a blend of understated neo-classical and 21st-century elegance. Downstairs, guests have free access to a spa with a steam room and a pool long enough for laps. The main highlight for many, however, is a large leafy garden where you can breakfast under the dappled sunlight created by the vegetation.

Set on the busy Passeig de Colom, The Serras overlooks the swish Port Vell marina, where sunlight glints off rows of leisure boats and luxury yachts. The equally upmarket hotel dates from the mid-19th century, and has the distinction of once housing Pablo Picasso’s first studio. Today, interiors meld a New York vibe with contemporary Catalan style, resulting in thoroughly urban chic. Head to the El Sueño rooftop terrace for a dip and to order drinks and tapas from the Sky Bar.

A wonderfully frilly neo-classical facade prepares visitors for the flamboyantly avant-guard decor within this characterful boutique hotel. Guest rooms come in one of three sumptuous schemes, with the red-and-white palette of the deluxe rooms particularly striking. On the roof is a circular pool and stripy daybeds where you can enjoy drinks from a cocktail bar. One of the main arteries of the city – the leafy Passeig de Gràcia – is just steps away, together with a slew of iconic modernist architecture.

Located on the busy thoroughfare that separates the Gothic and Born districts, this luxury-level boutique hotel feels in the buzzing centre of it all. A stately art deco stone facade displays the 1920s origins of the building, while inside is broodingly low-lit with dusky contemporary tones. Crowning the hotel is an open roof terrace where Barcelona presents itself in a broad panorama – and there’s a gorgeous infinity pool from which to appreciate it.

This 19th-century former jeweller’s premises and workshop is today a perfectly cut gem on La Rambla. A sumptuous combination of buttoned leather seating, exotic lighting and swathes of dark wood give the interiors a ritzy-yet-cosy vibe. Rooms mix top-quality finish with hi-tech appliances with Indian slate bathrooms and Bluetooth speakers – a fresh rose is also left for guests. On the rooftop, cool off in the plunge pool, before cocktails and tapas accompanied by a 360-degree view over the city.

Tucked along a quiet, narrow lane but right in the historic heart of the city, Hotel Neri scores high for location – the city’s 13th-century cathedral is just steps away – and you can still find much of the medieval origins of the hotel building among the smart, contemporary interiors. Each of the 22 rooms differ, though all feature quartz-finished bathrooms, Nespresso machines and Molton Brown toiletries. Book a suite for a tall coffered ceiling and exclusive access to the rooftop pool.

From the street-front bar popular with locals to regular live music on the rooftop, the Hotel Pulitzer is rarely short of buzz. The central location next to the Plaça Catalunya also puts it close to many of the top sights and nightspots. Smart rooms are scattered with artwork and eco-friendly touches, while Egyptian-cotton sheets and duvets make for comfy slumber. Breakfast focuses on a healthy start, though not in a boring way, and the plant-filled Greenhouse Restaurant certainly lives up to its name.

For a glimpse into the past of Barcelona dating back over a millennia, book a stay at this sensitively modernised, artfully realised high-end hotel. As well as being set into part of the ancient Roman walls, the hotel has medieval arches and original 12th-century frescoes, which add to an ever-present sense of history. You’ll also find fine Mediterranean dining and a rooftop summer plunge pool – all set in the heart of the Gothic Quarter.

With soaring colourful bookshelves and couches by the fireplace, the inviting lobby of the Seventy Barcelona contrasts starkly with its brooding, faceless facade. Smart, soundproofed guest rooms break up minimalist design with modern art, while high-end amenities include Bluetooth tech and coffee-pod machines. A serene spa is a 21st-century oasis with heated pool, sauna and vegan body treatments. A glass-sided, rooftop pool is long enough for laps, or you may prefer to just stretch out poolside and soak up the sun.

Violeta Boutique is the kind of small, personalised and fairly-priced hotel that you’ll want to return to again and again. The best rooms in this 19th-century building are large with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Sightseers will be pleased to know the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Catalunya (the city’s main square) and full of staff who delight in sharing their knowledge of Barcelona. There are free muffins and tea available too.

Casa Gracia is the hippest place to stay in Barcelona. Walk into a reception of plants, old ironwork from another era, modern chandeliers and a glass floor looking into a speakeasy lounge beneath your feet. Move past the art deco style bar and restaurant full of locals chatting softly in Spanish to a spacious common room with brick ceilings and a fireplace. Head upstairs via the antique-style elevator, past a library full of books and a wall of mirrors to the dining rooms, where you’ll find the communal tables. Continue out to a large terrace flooded with light, lounging areas, and a space for yoga. The rooms themselves are upstairs and some rooms come equipped with balconies overlooking the bustling Passeig de Gràcia.

The eco-minded will be charmed by this green boutique hotel close to Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya. From environmentally-friendly cleaning products to naturally sourced lavender soap and organic teas, Hostal Grau is dedicated to sustainability on every level. Meanwhile, the decor is homely and ping-pongs between boho-chic and minimalist. Walls are crisp white, the furniture is upcycled and they use crates for shelves.

This classy, avant garde hotel is one of the best mid-range options for visitors to Barcelona. Navy, white and gold hues give this chic boutique a regal feel. And the rooftop pool area, though small, is fit for royalty with its stripy four-poster sunbeds. Meanwhile, well-priced standard rooms are cosy but perfectly efficient and come with blackout curtains, bathrooms so white they’ll make you squint and beds you’ll never want to leave. Not forgetting the staff here who are willing to go that extra mile to ensure you have a great stay in the city.

The centrally located Retrome Urban Retreat is your retro-home in Barcelona. It’s cheap and comes with 15 rooms curated in ’60s and ’70s-style – think groovy patterns, copper lamps and walnut cabinets. Staff are passionate about the city and happy to point you in the direction of the best bakeries, cafes and independent shops. Rooms come equipped with vintage trinkets, record players and coffee machines – some also come with private balconies.

Luxury meets tasteful design meets Barcelona at the Renaissance Hotel. Much of the artistic elements in the rooms and throughout the building were inspired by Barcelona’s beloved Antoni Gaudí and the modernism that’s so prominent in the city. That’s why you’ll see a lot of metal with rounded corners, and carpets with Gaudí designs on them. The hotel also strives to emulate nature with lots of Mediterranean blues and mountain golds – a reflection of the surrounding ocean and nearby Montjuïc. They also installed light dimmers to replicate the effect of sunrise and sunset. Such details were meant to tempt guests to “look and look again”. With expert ‘navigators’ (who are like specialised concierges) to give local tips of the city, a chic Rumbo bar and eatery on the main floor, the Goja rooftop with views from the Sagrada Familia to the hills and the ocean, and premium rooms and junior suites, a stay at the Renaissance leaves guests feeling like they’re well taken care of.

Room Mate Emma is part of a visionary boutique hotel group that has made a big splash in Barcelona. This hotel cleverly blends future and past. Some rooms have groovy ’60s and ’70s designs, while others have space-age graphics. Gaudí would’ve been impressed with this wacky hotel, which has a lobby like the inside of a spaceship, and brightly coloured abstract communal spaces. This is one for the forward thinkers (or guests not afraid of a hallucinogenic trip).

Set in a former textile factory, this hotel is ready-made for millennials. Communal spaces are industrial-looking and full of the type of cool, mismatched furniture that you expect to see in a posh co-working space. Rooms – although snug – come with pillow menus, yoga mats and biodegradable coat hangers. Bikes are free for guests to use, there’s a rooftop pool area, and the hotel offers a nightly social hour with complimentary wine for those looking to make friends. A shuffleboard table and photo booth in the lobby will keep you entertained.

It probably doesn’t sound like a major selling point, but the H10 Metropolitan’s swirly wooden headboards are up there with the best we’ve seen. But that’s not the only reason we’ve included this swish hotel at the top of La Rambla in our round-up. The sophisticated design hotel has an unusual style – there’s an antique bike, hovering fireplace and an outdoor vertical wall garden. But the biggest prize is the tranquil rooftop pool for when you’re done with sightseeing.

The Cotton House Hotel has managed to retain some original features from when it was the headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation in the 19th century. It’s now a five-star unadulterated luxury hotel set in an elegant neoclassical building. The finishing touches here are what makes the hotel so special – from the chequered marble chessboard-like flooring, twirling optical-illusion-of-a-staircase and majestic ceilings that won’t fail to astound.

Are you the sort of person who likes staying in quiet neighbourhoods just outside of the city? Well, Hotel Brummell is right up your street. Located about 20 minutes’ walk from Barcelona’s best market (Mercado de la Boqueria) in the Poble Sec area, this boutique hotel takes pride in its “tropical modernist” design, which basically means industrial finishes and loads of plants. Most of the 20 rooms are smallish and have suave NY loft apartment/warehouse vibes. On the roof, there’s a plunge pool and views over the city and Montjuïc.

The hotel’s name is a tip of the hat to Gaudí, who started building Sagrada Familia in 1882. Gaudí is said to have been heavily inspired by nature and, so it seems, was the colour palette of this hotel – think earth tones and subtle greens and blues. The hotel’s terrace hosts free morning yoga on Wednesdays, as well as views over the designer’s towering Gothic cathedral just 400m (656ft) away.

Every city has at least one hipster hotel, and Barcelona’s is Soho House. This private-member’s-club-come-hotel has 57 rooms and sits opposite Port Vell on the outskirts of the Gothic Quarter. It’s facilities-rich – there’s a 36-seater theatre, flash Cowshed spa, and year-round rooftop pool – and it’s close to the beach and La Rambla. The rooms and common areas have a twee British vibe going on and if it weren’t for the blue skies and Catalonia flags draped on the buildings nearby, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were staying at a moneyed British Lord’s house in the Cotswolds.

Dame Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman are said to be fans of this world-famous luxury hotel chain – and we can see why. Everything at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona on Passeig de Grácia seeps opulence, from its modern rooftop pool and rooms with Casa Batilló views (Gaudí’s wavy, coral-floor-like construction) to the hotel’s fancy restaurant looked after by a female chef with seven Michelin stars.

The Mercer is a peaceful, luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Signs of the neighbourhood’s ancient past can be seen throughout the hotel, which blends restored original Roman walls with contemporary fittings. The star of the show, however, is the hotel’s tree-speckled internal courtyard – arguably the best breakfast setting in the city. Should you wish to unwind, take a book to the hotel’s library or rooftop pool area.

Hiding in plain sight in Barcelona’s ancient Gothic Quarter, lies the exclusive, adults-only The Wittmore hotel. Kitted out like a British country home with portraits of moustached men in kilts and plaid carpets, it’s the kind of place you want to be photographed in. Sadly, that’s not possible because picture-taking isn’t allowed but that just adds to the charm of this peaceful hotel that also has a private members’ club feel and sun terrace to match.

Like your hotels clad floor-to-ceiling with gadgets? Then the Almanac is for you. This smart boutique hotel hasn’t been around long but is already well-respected in Barcelona. Designer Jaime Beriestain (a big fish in these parts) has used a wealth of textures with gold hues and oak and walnut finishes to create a sense of James Bond sophistication this hotel. If that’s not enough to tempt you in, there’s also a shallow rooftop pool, a fine Mediterranean brasserie and yoga classes.

Ernest Hemmingway, Joan Míro and The Beatles all spent some time at El Avenida Palace – not at the same time, of course. And it’s unlikely that, other than a few interior touch-ups and the addition of a rooftop pool, much has changed since. The luxury hotel is draped in old-world Catalan charm and comes with likeable staff who remember your name, traditional Spanish rooms, and the best golden staircases you’ll ever see.

If ever there was a saying “never judge a hotel by its exterior” Hotel Arts Barcelona would be the justification as to why. The outer shell looks more corporate than arty, but the interiors are lovely. Imagine a sweet botanical aroma and kind staff who welcome you like family. The decor is unfussy, the restaurant has two Michelin stars, and it’s close enough to the beach that you could sling a cocktail garnish into the sea from the hotel’s pool area.

If you’re looking for a high-end hotel in the artsy El Born neighbourhood, you can’t do much better than The Edition, Barcelona. Rooms here are fit for Hollywood stars, and come packed with gadgets, bespoke Gaudí-inspired furniture and mood lighting – making them hard to leave. The hotel is a Marriott/Ian Schrager (founder of famous NY nightclub Studio 54) collaboration, so it has been designed to entertain its punters. There’s also a Boardwalk Empire-style underground cabaret club, a London-esque speakeasy and a rooftop pool bar that hosts parties every week during summer.